Natural Birth or Epidural??

So, i was completely set on getting an epidural...in my mind i was like "why not??" Im a FTM (first time mom) and all that i was thinking was *pain vs little to no pain* BUT ive had a few friends tell me they strongly suggest an all natural birth. Can you ladies who have previously given birth shed some light on pros and cons of both Natural and Epidural?

I'm a FTM (first time mom) as well but I'm dead set on a natural birth.

I've done a lot of research and also my family is big on natural now especially with all the pain the epi has caused.
My family is allergic to it and had to found out the hard way. My mom almost died twice because of it.

I wanna be able to feel my body and not be numb. Women went thousands of years without it

Neither for me. I'm planning on either stadol through an i.v. or nitrous (laughing gas). Epidural is too invasive for my taste and many people I know have had bad experiences with them. Which doesn't make me any less of a wimp which is why I'm ok with the other options. Either way you shouldn't take your birth plan too seriously. Things change you may decide to get an epi last minute or not have time to get one if you wanted it.

Another con to the epidural is that you will definitely have an IV if you have one. I personally don't want an IV if I don't need it.

Also, I believe you are more likely to have an episiotomy or tear with an epidural because you can't feel what is happening so you may push too hard or too quickly, or not be able to push enough and need to be cut. Episiotomy scares the crap out of me.

Epi all the way for me! I do NOT tolerate pain well. This will be my 3rd baby and I've not had any reactions to it at all. I've been induced with pitocen (sp?) both times and it was HORRIBLE, so that's why I get the epi.

I dunno...first time around, I was in labor 32 hrs...not uncommon for a first time birth. I got my epi probably around the 28th hour mark and was so grateful for it...helped me relax and rest (haven't slept in about 40hrs by that time) so I was ready to push when the time came. Do what's good for you.

I am trying to go natural with this second baby. The first time my water broke. I labored for 12 hrs, never got past 3cm. Pitocin for the next 12 h, still a 3. Finally, I broke down and got the epidural because the nurse promised me it would help me dialate. It did! I delivered within an hour.

However, I wish I hadn't had to get it. I was SO (significant other) freaking shaky after getting it, all through pushing, and afterwards. Yuck. Also, it was my opinion that labor wasn't too painful, even with the pitocin.

I think you need to set goals. If you tell yourself an epi isn't an option, then don't let it be. There are many ways to help manage pain during labor for a natural birth. Take a natural birthing class, also read up on natural birth good stories. Ina Mays guide to child birth is great.

If you go with an epi things are done in a certain order. There's no 'just give me the meds' it's a process and a lot of times (from just what I have read and women I have talked to) by the time they get the epi, they are through transition which is the most painful part.

Like ppl said their are cons to an epi that for me, outweigh the pros. I want to be mobile, I want to know if I am tearing, I don't want an IV, and I do not want to just lay in a bed.

I'm having our babe at home, no medications here.

Whatever birth you chose is up to you. No birth choice is right for everyone. You do what you need to do.

2nd I opted for epidural and had no side effects with yet another episiotomy

3rd I was induced and had epidural yet again. Which I'm glad cause this little guy was big and I tore. Didn't feel a thing

This time around I will again choose epidural. I have never had any side effects with it or had it slow down labor. Each lo I have had labor seems to go alot faster. So hopefully this one goes smoothly as last

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